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Chapel Hill, N.C. — Jeff Schoettmer sat out spring ball with a broken foot and entered training camp third on the depth chart at middle linebacker. Despite that adversity, the sophomore walk-on secured the starting role for UNC’s season opener in Columbia next Thursday.

The Dallas, Texas native broke his foot in late January and was forced to turn his attention away from the practice field to the weight room and playbook to improve his game.

“I stayed focused and didn’t let the injury get to me,” Schoettmer said. “I just knew that once training camp started, it was an open competition. Whoever played the best was going to get the job.”

Red-shirt freshmen Nathan Staub and Dan Mastromatteo were ahead of Schoettmer on the depth chart entering camp, but his experience last season – he played in all 12 games and made 23 tackles – after red-shirting in 2011 provided a solid springboard.

When Staub suffered an undisclosed knee injury during the third practice of camp, Mastromatteo quickly subbed in with the ones. Halfway through that practice, however, co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Ron West told Schoettmer to run with the first team and that’s where he’s remained.

“Nathan’s a great kid and a great player,” Schoettmer said. “We need him back – he’s going to help this football team win. But when he went down, somebody had to fill his shoes. I saw that as an opportunity.”

Schoettmer has excelled over the last three weeks, seemingly cementing his position. UNC head coach Larry Fedora told reporters on Monday that his starting middle linebacker had a “really good camp.”

“Schoettmer’s come a long way,” Fedora said.

Associate head coach for defense Vic Koenning had an inkling that Schoettmer would challenge for the starting spot during training camp.

“I told Coach West in the spring that Schoett’s going to be hard to beat out,” Koenning said. “Nathan Staub getting hurt probably accelerated that, but I thought Jeff would be a guy – from how far he progressed last year – I knew he’d be a guy that we could count on.

“Jeff’s a tremendous person. It’s important to him and he’s got good wits. He’s not scared. Is he to the werewolf status yet? No, but he’s a good solid player.”

Schoettmer, who stands 6-foot-1, packed on 18 pounds since the end of last season and currently weighs 228. He told reporters on Monday that his transition up the depth chart has been a smooth one.

“It’s been fun,” Schoettmer said. “It’s great working with the first-teamers. Kareem Martin is a big help out there. He’s always talking to me. Tre Boston in the back end is doing a great job. I’m enjoying it. I’m trying to help this team win however I can.”

While middle linebackers in most defensive systems are responsible for calling plays on the field, UNC’s approach is different. Koenning and defensive line coach Keith Gilmore relay signals from the sideline for the entire unit. From there Schoettmer makes checks by communicating with the defensive line about gap control and with the secondary about coverages whenever offensive shifts and other movements occur.

Tar Heels Victory-Show No MercerAug 22, 2013

The question isn't whether he can play. It's whether UNC has quality depth on defense.

— Posted by Ken D.

I guess that question will be answered next Thursday night!

GO HEELS!!

Ken D.Aug 21, 2013

View quoted thread

Nice assumption that the kid cant play... Lame

— Posted by RDI762

The question isn't whether he can play. It's whether UNC has quality depth on defense.

RDI762Aug 21, 2013

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That was my first reaction as well. "Rudy" makes for a good story, but if you need for him to play and contribute, you aren't where you need to be talent-wise.

— Posted by Ken D.

Nice assumption that the kid cant play... Lame

FAN72Aug 21, 2013

Congratulations for earning the starting position!

Ken D.Aug 21, 2013

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Good for this kid! I love a good Rudy story. This does kind of beg the question if a walk-on is beating out recruited/scholarship players for a starting spot then what does that mean for UNC's defense? They couldn't really stop anybody last year and everything I've read (outside of the safety - what's his name) seems to indicate that they are going to be in for another year of relying on the offense to win shootouts (without Bernard). Might be a tough sophomore season for Fedora.

— Posted by Carameltoe

That was my first reaction as well. &quot;Rudy&quot; makes for a good story, but if you need for him to play and contribute, you aren't where you need to be talent-wise.

VT1994HokieAug 21, 2013

Pretty impressive young player.

kmorcomeback2Aug 21, 2013

cheaters never win

gtrAug 21, 2013

View quoted thread

Good for this kid! I love a good Rudy story. This does kind of beg the question if a walk-on is beating out recruited/scholarship players for a starting spot then what does that mean for UNC's defense? They couldn't really stop anybody last year and everything I've read (outside of the safety - what's his name) seems to indicate that they are going to be in for another year of relying on the offense to win shootouts (without Bernard). Might be a tough sophomore season for Fedora.

— Posted by Carameltoe

It probably doesn't bode well for the first month of the season, especially the games at SC and GT, but I will take my chances against the back half of the schedule, at which point we may have some players back from injury.

tBeastAug 21, 2013

Nice work young man!!!

Go Tar Heels!

CarameltoeAug 21, 2013

Good for this kid! I love a good Rudy story. This does kind of beg the question if a walk-on is beating out recruited/scholarship players for a starting spot then what does that mean for UNC's defense? They couldn't really stop anybody last year and everything I've read (outside of the safety - what's his name) seems to indicate that they are going to be in for another year of relying on the offense to win shootouts (without Bernard). Might be a tough sophomore season for Fedora.